Questions and answers

Thanks for your question.

Environment Canterbury is working closing with staff from Waimakariri District Council (WDC) on the Ashley Rakahuri Flood Resilience Project. Our project focuses on reducing the risk and impact of out-of-river flooding, which offers increased protection to existing and future land uses.  

We understand there is some concern about the impact of increased development on stormwater flow and volumes, particularly in Taranaki Creek and Waikuku Stream. Land use planning is a responsibility shared between Environment Canterbury and Waimakariri District Council, and consideration of effects on receiving waterways would be required as part of the design and consenting process. 

We've shared feedback and questions about the proposed development with WDC. You can also contact Waimakariri District Council directly for more information on how stormwater from new developments is managed in the district.

Thanks for your question. If an option including stopbanks is selected, Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) would maintain vegetation on those stopbanks through a combination of mowing and grazing. Grazing of stopbanks with light livestock such as sheep would be arranged with individual landowners in a way that ensures stopbanks are not damaged by prolonged livestock movement.  

Thanks for your question. It depends on the option selected and how it interacts with a piece of land. In any case where land is required for stopbanks or floodways, landowners would be supported through Public Works Act processes, including independent valuation for compensation. The productive value of the land is considered as part of that compensation process. Any compensation payments would be on a one-off basis.

Thanks for your question. If a secondary stopbank is constructed, access considerations would be worked out on an property-by-property basis. If a stopbank runs across a property, earth ramps would be constructed to provide access for stock or machinery. 

Thanks for your question. Any ecological concerns or assessments will be addressed during the consent application phase once we have selected a preferred option. We will need to clearly demonstrate in our consent application that we are not having an adverse effect on the receiving environment, including any ecological impacts.